Ren Yi Hooi

Ren Yi Hooi is the Founder and CEO of Lightning Reach, a UK-based platform launched in 2020 that connects individuals in financial hardship with support from multiple providers through a single application. Under her leadership, the platform has grown significantly, reflecting her deep commitment to financial inclusion and digital access to aid.

Prior to founding Lightning Reach, Ren Yi served as Product Director and Director of Financial Inclusion at Railsbank, where she shaped innovative financial products to serve underserved populations. Her career spans diverse sectors and geographies—she held multiple roles at MILVIK BIMA, including Country Manager in Malaysia and Partnerships Manager in Asia, focusing on mobile-delivered insurance and health services. She has also contributed to development work at The Rockefeller Foundation, microfinance initiatives in Ghana, and conducted impact evaluations.

Ren Yi began her professional journey as a consultant at Bain & Company, honing strategic skills across industries. She later applied these skills in roles at Starwood Hotels and the Singapore Foreign Service. A consistent thread throughout her career is her dedication to using technology and partnerships to increase social impact and access to financial tools for underserved communities globally.

• Lightning Reach, Founder and CEO : Sep 2020 – Present
• Railsbank, Product Director & Director of Financial Inclusion : Jul 2019 – Jun 2020
• (MILVIK) BIMA, Country Manager : Jul 2018 – Mar 2019
• (MILVIK) BIMA, Partnership Manager (Asia) : Aug 2016 – Mar 2019
• The Rockefeller Foundation, Impact Evaluation : 2015
• Bain & Company, Senior Associate Consultant : Jul 2013 – Jul 2014
• Bain & Company, Associate Consultant : Sep 2011 – Jun 2013
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Project Manager, Sales & Loyalty : Aug 2013 – Feb 2014
• Village Exchange International, Microfinance : 2011
• Berkeley APEC Study Center, Research Assistant : Aug 2009 – Dec 2010
• Singapore Embassy in Washington, Foreign Service Intern : 2010
• The E-Biz Exhibition, Director : Mar 2008 – Aug 2008

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